US 12,292,099 B2
Dynamically pivotable friction drive
Kenneth Mandeville, Midland, NC (US); Ryan Page, Charlotte, NC (US); James McClay, Charlotte, NC (US); and Ryan Copping, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to HUSQVARNA AB, Huskvarna (SE)
Appl. No. 18/726,652
Filed by Husqvarna AB, Huskvarna (SE)
PCT Filed Jan. 5, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/011265
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 3, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/132822, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 13, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0418247 A1, Dec. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. F16H 15/10 (2006.01); F16H 63/30 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 15/10 (2013.01) [F16H 63/3013 (2013.01); F16H 63/302 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A friction drive transmission comprising:
a drive pulley comprising an engaging face;
a tip plate that supports the drive pulley and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the engaging face of the drive pulley; and
a friction ring that drives an axle, wherein the friction ring contacts the engaging face of the drive pulley and is moveable relative to the engaging face of the drive pulley to transition between forward rotation and reverse rotation;
wherein, when the friction ring moves into a reverse rotation position for reverse rotation of the axle, the tip plate pivots, with the drive pulley, about the pivot axis from a first position into a second position, the first position being different from the second position;
wherein an engaging force between the engaging face and the friction ring, due to a position of the friction ring on the engaging face, causes the tip plate to pivot.